Wide receiver Deebo Samuel wants the San Francisco 49ers to trade him. At the end of the 2024 season, during his exit interview, Samuel informed Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch that he wanted a "fresh start." And now, he may be getting his wish soon, according to Matthew Berry of NBC Sports.
"Deebo Samuel is going to get traded within the next couple of days," Berry said while at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. "Not released. He's going to get traded, and it's going to happen in the next few days." For those who may be skeptical about Berry's sources, he said he heard that QB Matthew Stafford was staying in Los Angeles immediately after sharing what he had heard about Samuel. So, he has already been proven correct about one of the rumors he passed along.
Samuel has been a fan favorite since being drafted by the 49ers in 2019. But last season, some fans began losing patience with him. 2024 was not his best season. The most notable moment came when Samuel dropped a crucial pass during a game against the Los Angeles Rams, in which the two teams were tied. The play happened on a third down and may have resulted in a touchdown if Samuel could hold onto the ball that hit him right in the hands. Fans at Levi's Stadium began booing him.
Asked on Wednesday about trading Samuel, GM John Lynch said, "Still not interested, but along those lines of the financial constraints and some conversations we've had with Deebo, it's something, we've been forthright with that. We're on good terms with Deebo. He's asked for a fresh start, and I think we're going to honor that. I don't like seeing great players leave, and he is a great player. I think often one of my favorite draft picks in my time. He makes plays, and he makes game-changing plays, and everything's good. But I think at some point, time happens. He asked for that. We don't always, there's contracts and things, but it probably makes sense. So we're at least allowing him to look, and we're having conversations. We'll see where that goes."
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Samuel wants to be traded to the Denver Broncos or the Houston Texans. However, Russini believes neither team is expected to make an offer. The Washington Commanders have been listed as a team interested in acquiring Samuel.
It may not happen within the next few days, as Berry said, but it sounds increasingly like a 49ers-Samuel divorce is looming.